Wild Horizons Update August 2018

It’s ages since we’ve sent a newsletter out, but all is not quiet here as we gather details for our 2019 tours, enjoying some epic travels and getting ready for our reconnaissance MTB tour to eSwatini next month. If you’re a subscriber to our newsletter you would have seen that we had a couple of prizes up for grabs for the first people to tell us what eSwatini used to be called. We were inundated – and the correct answer was Swaziland.

Huw has also been busy working on the issue of plastic pollution, a long-term interest and very much an issue for our times now. This included giving a TED talk at TEDx Athens in June in the stunning new Athens National Opera House.
There’s plenty of interest below so enjoy the read.

Centre stage at TedX Athens

SWEET SOUTH ISLAND SINGLETRACK – MOUNTAIN BIKE NZ

“Great company, amazing riding, an absolute pleasure from start to finish! This was a fantastic week, with plenty of brilliant, spectacular trails. Everywhere we stayed was welcoming and comfortable, with some memorable accommodation.”
Tony, Melbourne- Sweet South Island Singletrack 2018

After a superb first running of this tour back in February, we are all set for the 2019 edition of Sweet South Island Singletrack on 3rd to 10th February.

After a warm up in the Port Hills of Christchurch, we then check out the fun to be had up at Craigieburn, relax a bit at Ohau before cranking it back up a few gears at Wanaka and Cardrona. The ear to ear grins will somehow have to stretch even wider as the riding goes a little bit raw at Alexandra before plunging into the delights around Queenstown – Coronet Peak, Rude Rock, Skippers and the Skyline Gondola trails.

All week the spectacular Southern Alps will form the backdrop and comfortable twin share accommodation will be there at the end of the day to rest up and reflect over fine ales, wine and local dining options

We’re off once again to enjoy the sweet life and trails of Italy in 2019. From 4 May to 24 May to be exact.

“The scenery was jaw-dropping, the food fantastic, the organisation was impeccable and the accommodation was perfect. And to top it off, the group was a really fun bunch to ride with. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.” Gregg, Canberra

Now in its 6th year, Biking the Boot is an incredible three-week MTB trip that starts with 10 days crossing the country from near Rome in the west, to Romagna in the north east across the Appennino hill country. We ride through Umbria, Tuscany and finish in the Emilia-Romagna region. Then, after a visit to the fascinating city of Venice, we spend 6 days traversing the magnificent Dolomites from Cortina to finish in the mountain bike town of Riva Del Garda at the head of Italy’s largest lake. In total we ride some 800km.

“Great route, brilliant group, seamless logistics and fun all the way. An astounding mountain bike holiday by any measure. I’m already clearing the diary for next year!” Mark, Barcelona

Who doesn’t love the flow of the Wingello singletrack, a track that was used for so many years in our Highland Fling and 3 Ring Circus events? Built for you, these trails are there to ride all year. But to keep them at their best they need some TLC.

So, under the auspices of Highlands Trails, there will be a working bee on Sunday 26 August from 9am-2pm. All hands welcome so come and join us (and then enjoy a ride on freshly groomed trails after). Guarantee you will feel good about contributing to keeping your trails open and clean!

Meet at the Trailhead/Forest Camp at 9am and we will spread out into the different trail sections from there. (Note there is Dog Sled racing on that weekend but the forest is open and the sledders do not use the singletrack network.)
Wear sturdy shoes, gloves and other protective clothing, and bring lawn rakes etc. if you have them. We will have spares. Morning tea will be provided.

Send us a message if you plan to help out – info@wildhorizons.com.au

ROCKY TRAIL EVENTS

Whilst we’re talking about Wingello, our good friends Martin and Juliane at Rocky Trail Entertainment are holding the fifth and final round of their Shimano MTB Grand Prix Series at Wingello on 27 October. Before that is the 4th round at Stromlo on 8 September. And for women only they have their Diamonds in the Dirt on 25 August at Awaba.

Whether you’ve got a group of friends looking for adventure or are organising something off the beaten track for a corporation, we’d love you to let us help organise the adventure.

From tough bikepacking tours to easier wine and wheel wanderings, from singletrack odysseys to country crossings and desert flats. By foot or ski in mountains small or big. By kayak in sparkling seas.

Some of the countries we already know very well (some intimately) include Australia, New Zealand, India, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, Turkey, France, Spain, Algeria and UK. In 2018 we’ve already got up close with Tajikistan (check out one of Huw ’s articles in adventure.com here) and checked out mountain biking the length of Jordan on the Jordan Bike Trail.

Even if these particular places aren’t on your wishlist – we love going to new places too – and our years of experience mean that whenever we go, you can be assured your adventure will be well organised. Can we take you on your adventure of a lifetime?

HUW’S NEW BIKE DAY – HERE IN BLACK & WHITE

For some months Huw has been working with the legendary Adam Cooper of Davy Sprocket MTB to bring together a new steel hardtail for general trail riding and bikepacking. Highly recommend Davy Sprocket if you need a new steed specced and built from the ground up!

There were plenty of articles after the 13th and Final Fling took place last November (which was also our last MTB event after 20 years of having so much fun running them). Tim Robson, ed at Mountain Biking Australia, penned this one which is a great read (if you haven’t already) – and we thought now was a great time to share, as normally we would have opened entries by now. A strange feeling not to have this year!

MAIZY & VERITY EVANS UPDATE

We are very happy to support these brilliant young female riders who do the sport proud and who are based where we are in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

14 year old Maizy has had a great year so far coming 2nd in the 2018 National XC Championships U-15s (which she won in 2017) and winning the 2018 National Marathon Championships U-15s. Verity unluckily broke her arm in a race early in the year but is now repaired and recovered and did extremely well to take out the 2018 National Marathon Championships U-19s.

That’s it for August. Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to see you at one or some of the abovementioned.